Composer: Thomas Campbell

Campbell, Thomas, the Poet, has little in common with hymnody. A few of his pieces, including," When Jordan hushed its waters still," are found in a limited number of hymnals. His poetical works, The Pleasures of Hope, Gertrude of Wyoming, and others, have been reprinted several times. He was born at Glasgow, 1777; died at Boulogne, 1844, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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Tune Information

Texts

And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

Alternative Tunes

Notes

SAGINA, by Thomas Campbell (b. Sheffield, England, 1777; d. England [?], 1844), is almost universally associated with "And Can It Be." Little is known of Campbell other than his publication The Bouquet (1825), in which each of twenty-three tunes has a horticultural name. SAGINA borrows its name from a genus of the pink family of herbs, which includes baby's breath and the carnation. Sing this tune vigorously and in parts, especially at the refrain; singers should be sure to keep the melismas legato, especially in lines 5 and 6.